Chapter Text
Hello.
Tsunami blinked, blocking out the passing schools of fish that swam past her as she remembered what Riptide had taught her. Hello.
He flashed again. What brings you here to this part of the ocean?
It was Tsunami’s turn now, they had rehearsed this scenario many times before on land where they could talk and he could guide her, but for this practice, she was on her own. She racked her brain for the patterns to flash that she had done in front of a mirror plenty of times before bed. My name is Tsunami… I… She gulped, the flashes fading as she tried to remember.
Riptide gave her a patient smile like he was telling her to take her time, and if she messed up, she could try again, all without having to go up to the surface. You got this.
…I don’t know much Aquatic… Come… Come to the surface so we can talk…? She winced. She messed up, she flashed the wrong thing and said something idiotic, didn’t she? Wait… Riptide twinked, pointing his head up and swimming to the surface. Tsunami made a happy noise in joy, getting salty water in her mouth as she floated up to follow him.
“Well Tsunami, that’s a full sentence in Aquatic. Congratulations.”
“I didn’t mess up? I didn’t say something stupid again or anything?” Tsunami asked, bubbling with excitement.
“No, but you flashed ‘come’ twice. Some teachers would be more strict about that, but I don’t care.” He chuckled, “I’m proud of you, Tsunami. Great work.”
Tsunami would have hit her friend with a tail smack and a ‘squid brain,’ but the next few words out of him made her forget how to speak altogether. When was the last time she heard someone say that she was proud of her? Probably never. “Thank you Riptide.” She said happily, her mentor looking just as ecstatic as she was.
“Certainly. All we need to do is teach you what? Ten thousand more words and you’re ready to come back to the deep palace.” He snorted at his joke, laughing when Tsunami splashed him with a tiny wave of water, “Come on, that was uncalled for!” He splashed her in return.
“Oh, you want to play rough?” Tsunami challenged, gracefully jumping into the air and back into the ocean, splashing water all over poor Riptide.
“Moons, we’re acting like dragonets.” Riptide chuckled, spitting water that managed to end up in his open mouth, “Do you remember that day? When we met back when we were kids?”
“Wow. I’m surprised you remembered it.”
“Don’t say it.”
“I thought it would slip your squid brain by now.”
And then they just laughed, both flashing back to countless memories they made when they were younger, all the way to today, all grown up. With the end of the war and the opening of Jade Mountain, Tsunami and Riptide’s meetings together were infrequent, but never forgotten. They cherished their time together until things mellowed out, more dragons came to work for their school, and Tsunami earned more and more downtime, and the two Seawings could spend more time together. Through all of that time, they remained friends. Tsunami looked at Riptide, she would never say this to any living dragon, but he was the cutest thing she had ever seen. She didn’t understand why her mother hated him (okay, maybe she did a little bit.) Moons… Do I still hate him? Tsunami thought, unintentionally ignoring Riptide. Even to this day, he is still known as a traitor, and every so often, her mother warned Tsunami that he would break his heart one day; after all, he was a part of the talons of peace. The dragons who ruined my life. Tsunami reminded herself. Riptide’s adorable eyes met hers, and she remembered how much she had grown to love him over the years. What does it matter anymore? The talons of peace don’t exist anymore. Tsunami thought, And if Riptide was never a part of it then I probably wouldn’t be this close to him as I am now.
“Tsunami?”
“Huh?”
“You okay over there?” Riptide asked, unknowingly brushing his tail against her wing. Tsunami shivered.
“Yeah, I’m fine.” She said, rubbing her gills, “Riptide?”
“Yes, Tsunami?”
She swallowed, “How do you say I love you in Aquatic?” Queen Coral had flashed the words to her from time to time, but Tsunami couldn’t find the correct flashes in her growing knowledge of her tribe’s underwater language
“O-Oh my.” His head went halfway under the water for just a moment as he forgot to keep swimming, “Like this.” He flashed a simple pattern that was so simple, it made Tsunami even more embarrassed that she had forgotten something so simple.
“Like that.” Riptide said, “Why do you ask?” He grinned knowingly.
Tsunami replayed the flashes in her mind one last time, “I think you know exactly why, Riptide.” And then she pounced on him, pushing him down into the water, startling more fish in their way. Riptide thrashed in a panic, making Tsunami regret the approach she took. No turning back. She held tight onto the Seawing, putting a claw to her mouth to tell him to calm down. Ask Riptide how to say that later. She thought to herself.
Finally getting the message, Riptide settled, floating upwards, bringing Tsunami with her. He tilted his head. Tsunami! He flashed.
She lightly tapped him with a claw. He dimmed his scales and looked at her, waiting for an explanation, she figured. Riptide? Tsunami flashed.
Yes?
I love you.
The look on Riptide’s face was exactly how Tsunami envisioned it. A perfect mix of surprise and excitement. He never failed to look adorable. Tsunami! Oh my goodness um…
Well? She flashed, hoping he would say it back.
I love you too, Tsunami. He said as Tsunami’s back hit the open air. I’m so glad you feel the same.
YES! Tsunami let go of Riptide and swam to the surface, gasping as Riptide attacked her with a wet embrace.
“You know Her Majesty is going to kill me when she finds out about this, right?” Riptide smiled.
“Who says she has to know?”
“She’s going to know. Especially if we decide to marry.”
Tsunami pictured them doing just that and barked a laugh, “Riptide! We haven’t decided to start dating yet!”
“Well, what’s stopping us?” Riptide laughed, taking Tsunami’s paws.
“Ugh, three moons, shut up and kiss me already!” She didn’t wait for Riptide, bringing her head forward, tilting it slightly and pressing it against Riptide’s lips, shutting her eyes and letting herself get lost in a feeling she didn’t know could exist. This connection, this love with a dragon she never knew was possible to feel. Their bodies pressed closer together, their tails wrapped together, and for a fleeting moment, they became one dragon. Tsunami tried not to make a sound as she enjoyed her first-ever kiss, until finally, it ended with a little sound from Riptide that she took as joy.
“Moons…” Riptide said, flustered and red at the cheeks like a Rainwing, “That was…”
“Adequate. I’ve had better.” Tsunami teased, “This is the first time I’ve ever kissed another dragon, I’m glad it was you and not anybody else.”
“Like who? Whirlpool?” Riptide asked, making Tsunami laugh.
“Oh no!”
“Your smaller majesties,” Riptide said, mimicking his dreadful voice.
“Don’t make me bite you.” Tsunami threatened though she was all smiles, “Was it good? The kiss?”
“Eh. I’ve had better.” Riptide said, dodging a playful swipe from Tsunami at those words, “It was my first as well.”
That made her feel a little bit better. She felt like the kiss had been a lot more awkward than romantic, “So do you want to be my boyfriend?”
“Hah, I thought you’d never ask,” Riptide said, embracing Tsunami tightly. Tsunami curled herself around the Seawing, feeling his snout slide over her body, “I love you, Tsunami.”
“I love you too…” Tsunami showed her teeth in a smile.
“You want to say it again, don’t you.”
“...Squid brain.”